Collapsible kite



May 22; 1923. 1,456,260

R. A. TROMBLEY COLLAPSIBLE KI'IE Filed May 26. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v I avioewtoz j} Ruaaeli "d. TTamJey R. A. TROMBLEY COLLAPSIBLE KITE May 22, 1923. 1,456,260

Filed May 26. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 22, 1923.

UNITED STATES RUSSELL A. 'rnomBLEY, or AKRON, OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE KITE.

'Application filed May 26,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUSSELL A. TROMBLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Kites; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 7

This invention relates to improvements in kites, and has for its principal object to provide a device of this class which is of such construction that it can be -collapsed and rendered extremely compact for shipping and storing purposes.

Another and important ob ect of the invention is to provide a collapsible kite em bodying a knock-down frame which includes the usual vertical stick and a sectional crossstick, together with a suitable paper or other kind of covering for the frame which is held on the latter b means of a marginal cord, there being novel means employed for simultaneously bowing the cross-stick and stretching the covering tightly over the frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a kite wherein the sections of the cross-stick are permanently connected to the cords for bowing said stick and stretching said covering, thus holding said sections in the proper position for quick and easy assemblage of the kite and preventing accidental displacement or loss of any of the parts of the latter.

A still further object of the invention is to generally improve upon devices of this class by the provision of one of extreme simplicity and durability, the parts employed being few and simple in construction and the entire device being rendered extremely inexpensive to both the manufacturer and the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a kite having a bridle or attaching band for the holding cord or line, this bridle including a shaft on which a spinning device is rotatably mounted, the device bein located between the lower end of said bridle and point of attachment of the holding cord so that the shaft will be disposed substantially horizontal when the kite is in the flying position, thus insuring a continued rotation of the spinning element at all times.

1921. Serial No. 472,690.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of thls specificationand in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

Figure l is a front elevational view of a kite constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line a-e of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is aside elevational view of Fig 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the kite collapsed and partially folded.

F1gure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective View of one of the upper corners of the kite.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view showing the manner in which the sticks are con-' nected with one another.

F1gure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the spinning device.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates a vertically disposed stick of suitable form such as is generally employed in the make-up of kites. This stick constitutes a part of the frame. The frame is completed by the employment of a cross-stick made up of sections 2 which have their inner ends received in the sockets in the opposite ends of a connector 3 carried by the stick 1. With this construction, it will be seen that the frame can be assembled and disassembled to render it extremely compact for shipping and storing purposes. As is customary, a tissue paper covering of suitable design, designated 'by the numeral 4, is

stretched across this frame and attached thereto by means of a cord 5 which may be conveniently termed the marginal cord since it is fastened in any suitable way to ginal cord as'indicated at the points 7 and two short additional cords 8 and 9 are connected to these exposed portions of the marginal cord as indicated at the points '7 and holes at the .outer ends of the sections 2 of the cross-stick. The cord 9 is formed at its free end with a loop 10 and the remaining cord 8 is equipped with a hook 11 which is connected with this loop in order to connect the two cords together. It is to be noted that the combined lengths of the cords 8 and 9 is less than the combined length of the sections 2 which compose the cross-stick referred to. Therefore, when the hook 11 is engaged with the loop 10, this causes the cross-stick to bow, and since these cords 8 and 9 are connected with the marginal cord 5, such connecting of .the ends together simultaneously stretches the tissue paper coverin 4 over the frame to complete the kite. ence, it will be seen that these cords 8 and 9 serve a double function which, as far as I know, is not accomplished b any prior patented or marketed kites. also wish to direct attention at this point to the fact that the sections 2 of the cross-stick are not provided with notches at their extremities as is usual but are formed with holes for passage of the cords 8 and 9. Because of this, they are practically permanently connected with these cords and there is little or no chance of them becoming accidentally displaced or lost as may otherwise occur. This is also extremely advanta ous, as before pointed out, in that it ho ds the sticks in a convenient position for permittin ready assemblage of the kite frame. his leads me to sa that the kite frame by the way is muc simpler and stronger than frames heretofore employed, attention being especially directed to the sim 1e and novel coupling 3 employed.

The kite in addition to embodying the parts so far described, is equipped with additional strings or cords 12 and 13 which are connected at their outer ends with the vertical stick 1 and when connected together constitute what may be termed the attaching bridle to which the holding cord or line 14 is connected. If desired, a small ring 15 may be carried b the cord 12 for convenient connection 0 this holding cord 14. It is to be noted at this point that the inner ends of the cords 12 and 13 are connected to eyes 16 at the opposite ends of a shaft 17 which has a bladed spinnin element 18 rotatably mounted thereon. I may state that this element 18 may be of any suitable construction, bein preferably constructed as disclosed. 'WhiIe it might not be necessary, I prefer to employ bearings 19 which are interposed between the' eyes 16 and metal center of the rotary element 18, these being employed to insure easy and fast rotation of said element. I wish to lay emphasis on the fact thatthe rotary element and parts which coact therewith are arrangedat a point on the bridle below the point of connection of the holding cord 14 and when the kite is in the air, the shaft 17 assumes an approximately horizontal position, thus disposing the blades of the rotary element in such relation to the wind as to insure a continued rotation 'rolled or folde 'venient position for eas bling of the kite after it 1s unfolded. Hence,

of this element at all times and under all conditions. Practical use of the device has proven that the above result is obtained.

It is yet to be mentioned that a tail, designated generally by the numeral 20, is detachably connected b a socket connection 21 with the lower en of the mainvertical stick 1. This tail may be shaped in any way, being preferably substantially oval-shaped, thus enabling it to function somewhat like a rudder to guide and roperly balance the lower end of this kite to prevent the same from turnin over and diving toward the ground as o 11 occurs. While it might not be necessary, I desire to point out that the design of an airplane or other attractive design such as shown will bepreferably printed or otherwise indicated in Fi 4, then the kite can be for shipping and storing. "As ed out, the cross-sticks 2 are practically permanently connected with the bowin cords 8 and 9 and they will'thus be held in conand ready assema small child will be able kite.

While it is not essential, the lower end of the cord 13 which constitutes a part of the bridle as referred to is connected with the vertical stick after passing through an apertured reinforcing paper disk 22 glued or otherwise secured to the front face of the tissue paper covering.

The several features of the invention and construction and arrangement of the various parts together with the manner of using and assembling the same will no doubt be understood by considerin the foregoing description in connection w1th the drawings. In view of this, a more lengthy and detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

In all probability, the best possible results can be obtained with the specific construction and arrangement herein shown and described. Nevertheless, I wish it to be understood that minor changesin shape and to assemble this "size coming within the scope of the subjoined claims may be resorted to if desired.

I claim: I 1. A collapsible kite comprising a vertical stick, a horizontal sectional cross-piece,

into a com act package wfore pointthe sections of which have detachable connection .with said stick and. are provided at their outer ends with holes, a marginal cord connected with the opposite ends of said stick, and other cords for bowing the cross-piece, being connected at their outer ends with said first named cord, being then passed through the aforesaid holes and detacgiably connected together at their inner en s.

2. A collapsible kite comprising a vertical stick having a transverse connector near its upper end, said connector being provided in its opposite ends with sockets, a crosspiece composed of two comparatively short sticks having their inner ends removabiy received in said sockets andbeing provided at their outer ends with holes, a covering for the sticks, a marginal cord connected [to said covering and said vertical stick, and relatively short pieces of cord passing through the aforesaid holes, being connected at their outer ends to said first named cord and being detachably connected together at their inner ,ends.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RUSSELL A. TROMBLEY. 

